Chairman's Update

With the last couple of weeks being a bit of a whirlwind, I thought this would be a good time to bring supporters up to date with recent events at the Club.

Firstly, I’d like to put on record our thanks to previous manager Jim Weir who did a fantastic job for the Club in somehow escaping relegation in Season 2017/18, managing us to second place in League 1 last season, before agonisingly losing in the Play-Off games to Raith Rovers. And of course this season we qualified from a tough Betfred League Cup group campaign before narrowly losing out to Livingston in a last 16 clash at Station Park. Results haven’t been so positive in the last few weeks but this shouldn’t detract from the excellent job Jim did in his two years at the Club and everyone at Forfar Athletic wishes Jim a speedy recovery from his recent well-documented car crash. Jim will be remembered as a very successful Forfar Athletic manager and he knows he will always be welcome back at the club by FAFC Directors and supporters alike.

I’d also like to put on record my thanks to interim manager Barry Smith for ‘holding fort’ between outgoing and incoming managers. Barry has been extremely professional during these challenging times; it has been a pleasure working with him and we wish Barry all the best for the next part of his football journey.

After a healthy amount of C.V.s arrived, subsequent interviews, and a number of due diligence phone calls on all shortlisted candidates, we were delighted to announce the new Management Team of Stuart Malcolm (Manager), Barry Sellars (Assistant Manager), Martyn Fotheringham (First Team Coach), Wayne Henderson (Goalkeeper Coach) and Mark Farrell in the newly created position of Sports Scientist. I’d like to thank the Boards of East Kilbride F.C. and Montrose F.C. for their professionalism and assistance in releasing Stuart and Martyn from their respective contracts.

Having introduced the new Management Team to the players on Monday evening, I sat back to watch the first hour of training. It just looked like and felt like this was meant to be - with the injection of energy and the enthusiasm Stuart and his backroom team will bring to this current group of players I’m convinced this will be a great appointment for the Club and the positive results to achieve our short terms and longer terms goals will return.

Finally, to ensure the new Management Team get a large backing from the supporters for their first game away to Dumbarton on Saturday 23rd November in the William Hill Scottish Cup 3rd round, the FAFC Board of Directors are delighted to announce FREE coach travel for, in the first instance, season ticket holders, to the C&G Systems Stadium. The offer may be extended to other supporters subject to availability. Full details will be announced in due course. Many thanks for your patience and continued support of the club and we look to see as many fans as possible down at Dumbarton next Saturday.

Ross Graham
FAFC Chairman